The Devastator is one of the more versatile full-rocker skis weve ever tested. We want our all-mountain skis to make us feel like super-heroines while flying down the mountain instead of making tentative or unsure. We were huge fans of The Metal, the predecessor of the new Hotshot from J skisand were always a little hesitant when brands mess with a favoritebut Levinthal really proved us wrong on this one. Are you looking forward to taking them on the hill and playing around on them riding switch maybe, or jumping off small features? There's no better sight than a wide-open groomer when you have a powerful ski like the Volkl Secret 96 underfoot. If you like to go fast and feel supported, the Volkl is a sure thing. Like speed? The Elan Ripstick 94 W makes powder skiing feel like flying through the clouds with the Amphibio profile that helps smooth out the ride. Theyll make you see the mountain in a new light, seeking out every roller and windlip. GearLab is reader-supported. The lack of available ski lengths makes it tough for us to suggest this ski over other, directly comparable models. The Black Crows Captis Birdie gave all our testers, regardless of their size, a very exciting rebound and made it fun to ski within appropriate terrain - nothing too steep, deep, or choppy. The ski's rebound is one element of playfulness that seems consistent throughout the models that excel in this metric. Will your trusty toys blast through the irregularities, whether you're in soft or hard snow? Fun accessible even to lighter, less powerful skiers, Doesn't carve perfectly on the inside ski. 
A more versatile layup of Rossis newest flagship ski, the Sender is rocket ship-ready for any intermediate-to-advanced skier looking to up their game. Others in this category have more of a freestyle flavor and are ready to butter and play in deeper snow. Even our smallest tester, who generally skis a powder ski in the 170cm range, felt there was not enough tip on the front of this ski to maintain consistent floatation. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. The combination of stability, playfulness, and power from the Nordica Santa Ana 98 gave us the confidence to cut a carve in any condition. These are questions we asked ourselves when assessing how well each of these skis carves a turn. Maybe designers are trying to make these skis lighter or softer for a female skier. Liberty added a new width to its Origin series this year in the ever-popular 100-mm-plus category and Libertys construction has the secret sauce to make it stand out from the competition. This metric can certainly be a bit subjective from one tester to another and across skier-types as well, depending on your ability level, height and weight, and preferences for turn shape and size. The large rockered tips that kept us cruising in deeper snow were also a bit floppy when brought to higher speeds on harder snow. 
These pink bosses charge, particularly on hard snow and in crud. But under the guidance of Tof Henry (the fastest man in Chamonix) and Todd Ligare, the most iconic brand in freestyle basically perfected it with the Declivity 108 Ti. Built with a full poplar wood core with fiberglass laminates, the Sender is full of pop and is a quick and lively ride, perfectly suited to our testing grounds on Ajax Mountain. The Black Crows Captis Birdie loved to pop into the air, and our testers felt tons of fun rebound on it. Our testers found that the ski moved rapidly from edge to edge, in part due to its rebound powered by 5 millimeters of camber underfoot. The tip of the Coalition SOS comes off the snow pretty far back, making for great flotation but also a smaller usable edge for grip and stability. The Salomon QST Lumen 99 shares the Elan Ripstick's tip profile and performs nearly as well in the deep. Edge hold within a turn is an important element of our carving metric. The Nordica Santa Ana 98 managed to break the mold - not only did our smaller testers have an easy time accessing both its steadiness and flex, but all the testers also agreed that it felt lightweight, agile, and fun in all types of terrain. Pillage and plunder pow stashes beyond the gates and youll hardly be happier than on the Blaze, especially when the snow is a little sunbaked or wind-crusted. If you love shredding fresh corduroy and leaving two deep trenches in your wake, then it's critical to choose a ski that performs well in this metric. If youre going to make a ski as eye-catching as the Fischer Ranger 102 FR, it has to rip. But its not just for devotees like Sam: the bit of early taper and sturdy flex pattern make it a dream for anyone with alpine ambitions, and its flat tail with extended camber gives the Agent that extra bite on the steeps. No sponsored content. We loved taking the Riveter 95 in the bumps and trees since it can pivot on a dime and seems to prefer a much tighter turn radius than its specs would implicate. Unfortunately, there's nothing that makes them jump out at us as a truly special ski, We loved skiing this in bumps and in powder, but it wasn't as versatile as we'd hoped in other terrain, A solid carving ski that is reliable on-piste if you can stay on top of it, but it lacks the waist width and pop to make it really fun elsewhere, We enjoyed the Sheeva in powder but weren't as impressed with its stability or performance in crud, Wont replace the Soul 7 in your ski closet, but its not all bad news, Decent showing in crud and powder, but a strange ski elsewhere, Reliable choice for upper-intermediates, but not for expert skiers, A blast for mellow skiers, but not dependable for more advanced birds. Others, like the Blizzard Black Pearl 88, were reliable and strong but didn't have the spring to their step to make us truly gleeful. Dictators dont respond to subtlety, so make sure youre on point driving this despot. Whoa nelly! The Volkl Secret 96 has excellent stability and edge hold in its turns throughout a range of speeds. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. But for taller women or more advanced skiers, we would opt for something with a little more power. It also lacks some pizzazz in most conditions. That said, it took us everywhere we wanted to go at the resort and handled every snow condition, so there's something to be said for dependability. Freeriders have long marked the Ripstick 106 as a versatile weapon that possesses a friendly and maneuverable feel with enough girth to float through a surprise snowstorm. We gave special attention to how each ski performs in various conditions, taking into account the playfulness and the stability-at-speed of each ski. But at the end of the day, it is, overall, an average all-mountain ski with an average price tag. This outcome was particularly disappointing in the case of the Rossi, as the old discontinued Rossignol Soul 7 HD W was one of the most responsive and playful skis we'd ever tested. This ski wants you to open it up and put the pedal to the metal. It does have a very unusual design the manufacturer calls "Ambibio Technology," where there are dedicated left and right skis. We were often seen smiling while on this fun, pivoty ski. Instead of reinventing the wheel with an entirely new ski, it beefed up the chassis of the already beloved Ripstick 106. The result? Read the full review in our Deep Dive into the Ripstick 106 Black Edition. Choosing the Perfect Pair of Women's All-Mountain Skis. 
Subtle tweaks to the taper profile and sidecut work magic on this ski: its both more stable on firm and rough snow due to the extended sidecut, and surfier on wind lips. Our testers were blown away by this freetouring plank. How easy is it to turn each competitor? 
Playfulness can also be a fairly simple measurement do you have fun on this ski? While it topped our charts for stability, it also performed well in nearly every other metric, making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting to ski the entire mountain in any condition. Most skiers have a love or a hate relationship with them, but regardless, moguls are a fact of life while resort skiing. The bamboo and poplar wood core with a whisper of aluminum alloya technology called VMT 1.0delivers a surprising combo of dampness and liveliness at a way lower weight than we expected.
They are both damp enough not to get tossed around in chunky snow, barrelling through it instead. A versatile ski makes us smile, no matter what terrain we find ourselves in. While this new Ripstick doesn't have quite the extreme rebound that caused us to issue the old version an award for playfulness, it still gave even the lightest of us a thrill with its spring-back. The most versatile contenders in our review are the Nordica Santa Ana 98, the Elan Ripstick 94, the Faction Dictator 2.0X, and the Volkl Secret 96. The Faction Dictator loves to be on edge, and set us at ease with its carving prowess. Dont be fooled, though, its flat tail and metal construction will buck you if you dont stay on top of it. GearLab is reader-supported. The Dictator needs a highly competent skier to drive it precisely. For instance, if you normally ski a 160-centimeter on-piste ski, you may want to consider getting something in the 170-centimeter range if you're buying something with an early-rise rocker. With extremely little tip and tail taper, the ski is lightning quick to initiate a turn, and the dependable tail will power you through to the finish without being too demanding. When skied on groomers at high speeds, these rockered tips often have the appearance of being unstable (as they flap their wings). However, the tips started to dive underneath when the snow got deeper, making everything feel more laborious and less fun. Models with a tighter-feeling turn radius, such as the Icelantic Riveter 95, perform better in the tight, firm, evenly spaced bumps. While theres no metal in this version of the ski, our testers were pleasantly surprised how hard they could push the Sender, and its round-yet-solid flex pattern provides a damp ride in variable snow. We enjoyed carving the Riveter 95 so much more than we thought we would. Given the vast amount of tip rocker, we wouldn't recommend this ski to anyone over about 5 feet, 7 inches tall. We were pleasantly surprised by their powder performance, even on the deepest days. However, if you are a highly skilled and assertive skier who wants a dependable ski for a good price, look no further than the Faction Dictator. A stable charger thats actually fun and surfy? Can you tip them on edge, have them engage, and ride the rail? Faction is offering a powerful ski for an affordable price. We loved a lot about the Elan Ripstick 94 W, but the most impressive was its ability to keep trucking along, no matter how deep or dense the snow. The shock and joy is written on Renee's face. Kapeesh? K2s super-popular Reckoner series flagship ski is the 102, and our testers had a riot on it. The Secret locks the edge and doesn't release until directed. While the German giant excelled at making big-mountain skis and jib skis, it had been a while since it built a ski that crossed over into both territories. One tester considered whether its softness helped dampen the bumpy ride; it felt like the ski absorbed some of the jolts rather than transferring those to your body to deal with. The Revolt 104, back for its second year on the roster, continues to fill a gap in Vlkls lineup. The Amphibio profile of the Elan Ripstick 94 means that the downhill ski grips while the uphill ski skids, providing a smooth ride and easier transitions in powder, Dropping into deep snow on the Coalition Snow SOS felt secure and reliable, The Nordica Santa Ana 98 is a crud-busting machine, blasting through any chunky terrain in its path. For a smaller, lighter skier, the Riveter 95 might provide a moderately stable ride at speed. If you're still skiing in your warped and scratched the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Crud blaster, dependable, great one-ski quiver option, good for every ability level, Awesome powder tool, fabulous fun factor even for light skiers, affordable price, Great stability at high speeds, good on hard snow and crud, more affordable than others, Superbly stable at high speeds, great edge hold, Very lively, makes pivoted tight turns, twin tips, beautiful artwork, Gets bouncy in crud, slight tip flap, doesnt carve perfectly, Only for shallower pow days, needs strong skier to guide them, A great all-rounder ski that we think is the most versatile option for a one-ski quiver, A fun and responsive toy for powder days, groomer antics, and bumps, with a value-oriented price tag, This model will do great in everything but the deepest powder and is ideal for an aggressive skier, A good choice for hard-charging speed demons that still performs decently off-piste, A fun ski that likes to pivot and get airborne, but lacks high-speed stability, especially for larger women, Rocker tip and tail, cambered inside edge, Amphibio tech, Perfect for those looking for a single ski to rule them all, A blast to ski in fresh snow, mogul fields, and popping around on groomers, A high-quality ski for all snow conditions, including up to 6 inches of fresh powder, but it takes a strong skier to bend and maneuver them, For those who love to ski fast and also want to be confident exploring away from the groomers, This ski is so much fun, pivoting on a dime and popping airborne instantly, but unfortunately it did not have the stability we wanted at higher speeds, particularly for our taller testers, The stability we felt on the new Mindbender, especially compared to older K2 skis we remember, was a welcome sensation. The Riveter 95's ability to pivot quickly and accurately made for some very fun mogul skiing. The least versatile skis are the ones that tend to specialize in a particular zone, thereby making performance sacrifices in other areas. Unfortunately, it does seem common that when a ski is very stable at higher speeds, it also tends to be stiffer, heavier, and perhaps a little unwieldy for lighter, less powerful skiers. If moguls are only starting to form in fresh snow, it might be wise to choose a ski with better crud-busting capabilities, such as the Blizzard Black Pearl 88. How can we improve GearLab? Let us know! You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. A quick edge-to-edge transtion and a damp, reliable feel makes the Blizzard Black Pearl 88 our favorite ski for carving. The shape of a ski's tip certainly plays a role in its keenness to float. A ski's performance in powder is related to its waist width (wider = more floatation) as well as the amount of rocker it has in the tips. How can we improve GearLab? Conversely, a ski with a straighter design from the tip to the tail, like the Coalition SOS, can result in a larger turn radius. The Ripstick easily flexing through a trough in the bumps. Other contenders are a bit more sluggish. Got feedback? This ski holds an edge better than most skis with a similar softer flex, and the turn radius was much tighter than expected. This means easy turn initiation and stellar suspension thanks to its beefy layup. The Riveter's tips stayed afloat well in powder; we just wish they made it in a longer length for those deeper days. Despite their difference in weight, lighter testers found both the Volkl Secret 96 and the Faction Dictator 2.0X to be more difficult to bend and maneuver. The Blizzard Black Pearl 88 earns recognition for its carving performance since its stability underfoot and narrower waist help it cut deep tracks in the snow when tipped on edge. To make it come to life, DPS heeded the call of its team riders Read the full review in our Deep Dive into the Koala 103. Hilary is a powder piggie. The Stance series delivered on a metal laminate ski for the modern skier, with a tailored flex pattern and a lively construction that feels light years away from the dead, glued-to-the-snow feeling of yesteryears metal skis. You ever cruise down a cat track like Snowbirds Road to Provo and dream of whipping cork 10s into the steeps like Karl Fostvedt? This ski is so quick, agile, and easy to maneuver that it doesn't take much effort to get it back on track, even when it goes astray.
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Start by asking yourself questions about What Other Women's All-Mountain Skis Should You Consider? Each tester has different styles, preferences, and abilities, which helped us better understand each ski's advantages and faults. The Nordica Santa Ana 98 is at the higher end of the group for cost; however, the value that it provides through its versatility will make it worthwhile for many. We also have in-depth reviews to cover all of your ski gear needs. The Volkl Secret 96 is the best choice for ladies who especially love speed, appreciate edge-hold, and want a reliable and well-made ski. It does not remain on top of more than 6 inches of powder. The rebound and tighter-than-stated turn radius made simple short turns on groomers feel fun. Unfortunately, some of our testers are taller women, and they were disappointed that the longest version of this ski is only 169 centimeters. The Santa Ana 98 performed particularly well in the crud, staying stiff enough to punch through anything the mountain threw at it. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
It doesn't plow or slice through the chop like some of our highly rated crud skis but attacks it in a completely different way. One tester called the Icelantic Riveter 95 a bouncy ball of fun, given its propensity for popping in the air and springing easily in new directions. Colorado born, Montana-based Parker Norvell honed his skills in the park, but now seeks soft snow in the backcountry. All trademarks property of their respective owners The new Origin 101 is a great freestyle option for skiers who are still looking to go fast and carve clean turns. The Riveter 95 surprised us again in this metric. The top-rated all-mountain skis are all capable of handling a wide variety of conditions, and they all emerged as high-performers within the women's all-mountain ski realm, where versatility is crucial. Made to carve wide trenches in open bowls and boost the biggest airs you dare to hit, Armada took its freestyle spirit and gave it a big-mountain foundation. The Faction ski is a crud-buster and high-speed machine, but it also competes in softer snow and moguls. We would recommend this ski to ladies who most prefer front-side skiing, who already know how to carve deep trenches, and who can appreciate the quickness of a skinnier ski. Finding the fall line and blasting through days-old crud will come easily on these versatile sticks, the best all-mountain skis of the year from 101-109. It carves, smears and blasts with a predictability you can depend upon. Most of them will make even the seasoned fat-ski chick feel like a superstar in the soft stuff. The insanely light weight all-but demands you slap a 50/50 binding on the suckers and take em on a hike. Our two expert ski testers are industry professionals in Mammoth Lakes, California, USA. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. Lightened a bit to pivot with the quickness, the stiff platform underfoot is still ready to rage. Instead of having to pack a ski for groomers and a ski for powder days, the Nordica provides you with an all-in-one option. The ample tip rocker allowed us to turn rapidly, but the tail is still stiff enough to snap you into the transition to the next turn. Despite having a softer construction, which might often account for deflection and inability to push through chunkier terrain, the Riveter 95 handled rough terrain like a champion. The same qualities that make this ski so reliable at speed and in the steeps result in it being not particularly agile in trees or bumps. Can we trust the ski's edge to lock into the snow when we're railing turns? If you don't need something to excite you and want a single ski that can do everything well, the Santa Ana 98 is your match made in heaven. The incredible rebound of the Elan Ripstick, combined with its love of flight, makes it one of the more playful skis in this review. And if you're headed into the backcountry this season, we've got you covered there as well. These days, whether hes venturing out of bounds or lift skiing at Bridger, Norvells daily driver is the Icelantic Saba Pro 107. The Faction Dictator 2.0X and the Elan Ripstick 94 W are both well-seated high-value choices. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support, Choosing the Perfect Pair of Women's All-Mountain Skis.